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Tuesday, 1 Dec 2020

Written Answers Nos. 538-562

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (538)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

538. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in the past month in relation to making information available from the evidence collected in the preparation of the mother and baby home report to persons seeking to find out about their children who were in the homes or children born in the homes trying to trace their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Act 2020 provides that the Commission will be dissolved on 28 February 2021. The records of the Commission will be transferred to my Department by that date; including a copy of a relevant database which will also be supplied to Tusla in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

My officials are working to ensure the Department is fully prepared for receipt of these records and equipped to handle subject access requests in respect of them. In that regard, they are also liaising with the Office of the Attorney General to clarify the nature of the balancing tests which must apply to the release of personal information, both under the GDPR itself as transposed by the Data Protection Act 2018, and under section 39 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, as amended by the Data Protection Act 2018.

As certain records may contain mixed personal data, it is vital that my Department, in processing subject access requests, ensures that the rights of all parties are protected.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (539)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

539. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the report into the mother and baby homes is expected to be published; the preparations being made for this in terms of support for victims and the provision of information under GDPR to persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40445/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters delivered its Final Report to me on 30th October. I had signalled previously that there would be a short time interval between receipt of the report and the separate arrangements for its publication. I am continuing to work with Government colleagues to expedite matters so that the report can be published as soon as possible.

I am acutely conscious that former residents and their families are awaiting publication of this report. I have listened carefully to the concerns of the former residents and advocates that I have had the opportunity to engage with directly by telephone. For these reasons, I recognise how important it is that former residents and their families are the first to be notified of plans to publish the Report and how to access it. I expect to be able to confirm publication arrangements shortly and former residents will be notified through established channels before any details are confirmed to media. Information appearing in media over recent days is speculative and not accurate.

In terms of preparations to support former residents, my Department has a dedicated telephone information line available for any person seeking further information in relation to these issues. Relevant contact details are available on my Department's website. Contact details are also available for the National Counselling Service for persons who feel they may need professional counselling services. Additional resources were made available to the Health Service Executive in 2020 to put in place dedicated and enhanced counselling and patient advocacy services for former residents of these institutions. My officials have liaised with the Department of Health and the National Counselling Service to ensure that available capacity is primed to respond to the anticipated increased demand for its services which may arise on publication of the report. Relevant contact details have been provided to former residents and their supporters on a number of occasions and this information will be communicated again when the report is being published.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Act 2020 provides that the Commission will be dissolved on 28 February 2021. For the avoidance of any doubt, none of the Commission's records have transferred to my Department as yet. The relevant database and associated records will be supplied to Tusla, and a copy of the records and database, as well as the entire archive of the Commission's records will be transferred to my Department by 28th February 2021.

My officials are working to ensure the Department is fully prepared for the receipt of these records and equipped to handle subject access requests in respect of them. In that regard, they are also liaising with the Office of the Attorney General to clarify the nature of the balancing tests which must apply to the release of personal information, both under the GDPR itself as transposed by the Data Protection Act 2018, and under section 39 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, as amended by the Data Protection Act 2018.

As certain records may contain mixed personal data, it is vital that my Department, in processing subject access requests, ensures that the rights of all parties are protected.

Legislative Programme

Questions (540)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

540. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40459/20]

View answer

Written answers

Addressing the factors behind the gender pay gap is a key commitment in the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020. It is a multi-faceted task involving a number of Government Departments and agencies. Tackling this issue is good for equality and it also makes good business sense, as firms that can report a low or non-existent gender pay gap will have an advantage in recruiting future employees. Initiatives to address the gender pay gap can also be expected to have a positive impact on disparities in income for women across and after their working lives.

The aim of the Gender Pay Gap Bill is to provide transparency on the gender pay gap and incentivise employers to take measures to address the issue insofar as they can. The Bill was published on 8 April 2019 and completed Dáil Committee Stage in June 2019. It has since then been reintroduced by the Government, and Report Stage is currently awaited. Work is advancing on legislative amendments to be introduced during Report Stage. It is hoped therefore that the Bill will be enacted in the very near future.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (541)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

541. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if advice will be provided on a matter regarding a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40460/20]

View answer

Written answers

The commissioning of family support services is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. It is the practice of my Department to request that Tusla respond directly to the Deputy on such operational matters.

As the details supplied by the Deputy contain the personal data of a third party, this Department is unable to share this information with Tusla without the written consent of the third party. The Department is happy to liaise with Tusla on this matter, on receipt of the necessary written consent.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (542)

Duncan Smith

Question:

542. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there has been collaboration between his Department and the Defence Forces to promote the Defence Forces as a career for apprentices. [40300/20]

View answer

Written answers

There are a number of registered apprentices across various trades who have the Defence Forces listed as their employer. The national apprenticeship promotional campaign ‘Generation Apprenticeship’ is run by SOLAS and uses case studies in demonstrating the range of opportunities available within the 58 existing apprenticeship programmes. Individual employers are not typically highlighted within that campaign, with the focus being on the relevant apprenticeship programme.

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship for the coming 5-year period is nearing finalisation. The role of the public sector in apprenticeship recruitment was highlighted by a number of stakeholders and the Action Plan will include measures in this area. As an employer-led offering, increasing the number of public sector apprentices will require leadership from employers across the public sector.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (543, 544, 558)

Pauline Tully

Question:

543. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the exclusion of part-time postgraduate students from the one time student grant will be reconsidered in view of the fact that Covid-19 restrictions have prevented these students from being able to find or retain work to allow them to earn the money they need to pay for their studies, accommodation, fees and living expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39526/20]

View answer

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

544. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the €250 support scheme for students has not been extended to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39527/20]

View answer

Brendan Griffin

Question:

558. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the one-off €250 payment will be extended to students pursuing a course in a private college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39768/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 543, 544 and 558 together.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

Students who study on a part time basis; or students who are not eligible for SUSI and study in a private college are not eligible for the scheme.

The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.

In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/

Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (545, 546)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the €250 support scheme for students has not been extended to Irish students studying abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39528/20]

View answer

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

546. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €250 support scheme will be extended to students who travel to Northern Ireland to attend third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39529/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 546 together.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant, including students studying abroad, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.

In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/

Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (547, 548)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

547. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are tax implications related to the €250 student rebate in terms of reducing the tax relief persons receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39579/20]

View answer

Gerald Nash

Question:

548. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if fee-paying third level students and their families in cases of more than one third level student per family will receive the full €250 reduction or credit note per student as part of the one-off Covid-19 payment scheme; if the net tax reduction will be less in certain cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39625/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50 m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant, including students studying abroad, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.

In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/

It is not the intention that funding under the scheme for students will be subject to tax and the Department is consulting with the Department of Finance to put in place the necessary arrangements.

Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Higher Education Institutions

Questions (549)

Brendan Smith

Question:

549. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student living in a direct provision centre awaiting a decision on a residency application and at present attending second level is entitled to apply through the CAO for a course in further or higher education; if successful, if the student is entitled to apply for a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39676/20]

View answer

Written answers

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to such matters.

International protection applicants are eligible to apply through the CAO. However if an applicant has at any point resided outside the EU they may be required to apply directly to their HEI of choice rather than through the CAO. Applicants should contact the Admissions Office of each HEI in which they are interested to determine if they should apply through the CAO or directly. This policy may vary by HEI.

International protection applicants who have been granted permission to work, under the terms of the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU), are eligible to access further education and training (FET) programmes on the same basis as Irish nationals. International protection applicants who do not have an entitlement to work are entitled to free access to adult literacy and English language supports only.

Persons in the asylum process are not eligible to access the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. However, the administratively based Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers provides supports along similar lines to the SUSI grant scheme and is available to persons in the asylum, subsidiary protection or leave to remain process.

Following a review of the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers in 2018/19, the criteria for applicants to have five years education in the Irish school system was reduced to three years from the 2019/20 academic year. Further changes were made in August 2020 removing the requirement to have attended school in Ireland or to have sat the Leaving Certificate. However, the three year requirement to be in the protection/leave to remain process still remains. This is similar to the residency requirement of the statutory-based Student Grant Scheme operated by SUSI.

The value of the award is similar to SUSI grant funding and is paid in 9 monthly instalments. Further details in relation to the scheme are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/e786a-student-grant-scheme-for-asylum-seekers/

The majority of further education and training programmes are free of charge, but international fees continue to apply for Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programmes and higher education courses. There is the exception, however, where applicants meet the conditions of the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers.

Third Level Fees

Questions (550)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

550. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish students will be considered as international students from January 2021 if they apply to UK colleges for postgraduate courses resulting in much higher fees; if agreements are being discussed to ensure Irish students can continue to study in the UK without international student fees applying (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39705/20]

View answer

Written answers

In line with the Common Travel Area, Irish students, unlike students from other EU Member States, will not be treated as International Students for fee purposes.

Officials in my Department are currently engaged in intensive discussion with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations in the UK with a view to finalising the fees to be charged to Irish Students, reflective of the overall architecture of the Common Travel Area.

A final position has not yet been reached for 2021/ 2022 onwards, but I am very conscious of the need to provide certainty as soon as possible to Irish students considering their options and my officials are working with their UK counterparts on that basis.

Third Level Admissions

Questions (551)

Neale Richmond

Question:

551. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider a review of the admissions process for International Baccalaureate applying to Irish third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39735/20]

View answer

Written answers

Higher Education Institutions are administratively and academically independent, and have the right to determine their own criteria and procedures for admission. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the determination or review of these admissions processes.

A review of the Leaving Certificate and International Baccalaureate curriculum and examinations across a representative range of subjects was conducted in the 2018 by the higher education sector, led by the IUA, TCD and NUI. As a result of this review the points conversion for the International Baccalaureate applicants to Irish higher education institutions was adjusted. A comprehensive entry document outlining the criteria for EU/EFTA applicants to the higher education institutions, presenting examinations other than Irish Leaving Certificate, including the International Baccalaureate, is available at http://www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf. Criteria for non EU/EFTA students is determined on an individual institutional level.

New International Baccalaureate syllabi have been introduced in English and Mathematics and the higher education sector will examine changes introduced to see if there is a need to update subject-level equivalences or subject specific requirements. Any changes as a result of this will be reflected in the equivalence tables/requirements for admission in 2022. Beyond this no further review is planned.

Education Data

Questions (552)

Neale Richmond

Question:

552. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students in Ireland that undertook degree studies in a foreign language from 2015 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39736/20]

View answer

Written answers

The information as requested by the Deputy is not readily available.

My Department is in the process of working with its agencies to collect and collate the data in question and will revert with a reply to the Deputy directly as soon as it is received.

Third Level Admissions

Questions (553)

Neale Richmond

Question:

553. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students from Northern Ireland admitted to third level institutions between 2015 to 2020; the breakdown for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39737/20]

View answer

Written answers

The breakdown of student numbers from Northern Ireland, by academic year, is contained in the attached spreadsheet. The most recent data available is for the 2018/2019 academic year.

NI Enrolments

2014/2015

2015/2016

2016/2017

2017/2018

2018/2019

Full-time

762

951

955

1,065

1,003

Part-time

311

248

206

263

399

Total

1,073

1,199

1,161

1,328

1,402

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (554)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

554. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €250 support payment to students will be made to those who had to return to college in order to carry out placements (details supplied) that were delayed due to Covid-19 in which they have returned but have not had to pay fees; if this payment will cover those students who had to return to college due to Covid-19 disrupting their placement this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39740/20]

View answer

Written answers

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

It is envisaged that students currently enrolled in full time courses will be eligible to receive funding.

The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.

In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/

Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Third Level Fees

Questions (555, 562)

Paul Murphy

Question:

555. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether a scenario in relation to a person (details supplied) is fair and equitable; if he will request the university to cease demanding such charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39743/20]

View answer

David Stanton

Question:

562. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the intentions of institutions (details supplied) to address the concerns of students in both college-provided and private accommodation in view of current circumstances further to his request to higher education institutions to show flexibility with regard to student accommodation cancellations and refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39880/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 562 together.

I am conscious of the challenges faced by students in relation to student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in consultation with these key stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation relating to student accommodation closely.

Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached in regard to a refund.

If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

I have asked our higher education institutions, where they have accommodation, to try to show flexibility in terms of its use for the coming academic year, as well as flexibility with regard to cancellations and refunds. I would hope that private providers will show the same flexibility, however it is not within my remit to issue instruction in relation to the private rental market.

I am very conscious of the impact of the pandemic has had on our students. To ensure the safety of our students and staff in further and higher education, the majority of college will be online for this semester and we will provide financial assistance through a once off €50 million fund. This fund will ensure:

- students who avail of the SUSI grant, including students studying abroad, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (556, 564)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

556. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students who have had their fees paid through SUSI and in receipt of the back to education allowance will be eligible for the €250 grant. [39750/20]

View answer

Joe Flaherty

Question:

564. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student studying advanced business level 6 at a local education and training board, ETB, and in receipt of the back to education allowance qualifies for the €250 grant. [40020/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 564 together.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

The back to education allowance, as administered by the Department of Social Protection, is not a determining factor in a students eligibility.

The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.

In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/

Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Third Level Institutions

Questions (557)

Joe McHugh

Question:

557. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the Connacht-Ulster Alliance application, which is due to be submitted before the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39760/20]

View answer

Written answers

The establishment of technological universities (TUs) is an important part of the Government’s higher education and regional development policy as underscored in the Programme for Government 2020.

TUs will provide increased choices for students, an enhanced student experience and greater access for students in tackling educational disadvantage with TUs offering a broad range of higher education provision from apprenticeship to doctoral degrees. TUs will also support an increased intensity of research-informed teaching and learning and research activity which will provide increased opportunities for collaboration with industry, attraction of Foreign Direct Investment, retention and expansion of skills and deliver regional development and socio-economic benefits.

Under the statutory framework detailed in the Technological Universities Act 2018, it is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant Institutes of Technology participating in a TU development consortium to progress their plans and, when ready, to make an application to the Minister seeking an order establishing a TU subject to their meeting the eligibility criteria prescribed in the 2018 Act.

The Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) TU development consortium, comprising the Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny Institutes of Technology has made significant progress to date in advancing their proposals. . On 7 October I announced the first tranche of funding under a new Transformation Fund overseen and administered by the Higher Education Authority to assist in the creation and development of technological universities. The CUA received €5.7 million under this call, bringing total Exchequer funding of the project since 2013 to €11.6 million.

My Department understands that subject to the conclusion of discussions with academic staff representatives the consortium anticipates submitting an application seeking TU designation under the legislative process provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018 by the end of January 2021.

Question No. 558 answered with Question No. 543.

Horizon 2020 Strategy

Questions (559)

Marian Harkin

Question:

559. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projects that were funded under Horizon 2020 in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the amount awarded to each project; and the geographical location of each. [39770/20]

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Written answers

To date, Ireland has been part of 1,855 projects since the beginning of Horizon 2020 in 2014. The Commission “Dashboard” provides publicly available, regularly updated information on all these projects with links to each individual project including the start and end dates for the project, the institutions involved in the project, the geographical location of these institutions, and the funding each one has received in the course of the project: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dashboard/hub/stream/aaec8d41-5201-43ab-809f-3063750dfafd

A breakdown of Ireland by region using the information from the dashboard provides the following data:

- The Northern and Western region of Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland) is or has been involved in 690 projects to date since Horizon 2020 began.

- The Northern and Western region of Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland) has received €368 million in net EU contribution from Horizon 2020 to date since the programme began.

- The Eastern and Midlands region of the country is or has been involved in 872 projects to date since Horizon 2020 began.

- The Eastern and Midlands region has received €390.4 million in net EU contribution from Horizon 2020 since the beginning of the programme.

- The Southern region of the country is or has been involved in 505 projects to date since Horizon 2020 began.

- The Southern region has received €252.4 million in net EU contribution from Horizon 2020 since the beginning of the programme.

- In total, Ireland has received €1.04 billion in net EU contribution from Horizon 2020 since the programme began.

As an annex to this response, please find four excel spreadsheets which contain a list of projects Ireland has been involved in since the start of Horizon 2020 on a regional basis as well as a list of all projects in which Ireland has been involved in total. It includes links to each individual project for further information.

Table A

Table B

Table C

Table D

Student Universal Support Ireland

Questions (560)

Bríd Smith

Question:

560. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI has access to records of payments for persons on qualifying payments such as jobseeker’s allowance and so on; if there is an issue with SUSI receiving such records and statements of payments from Intreo offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39783/20]

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SUSI’s data sharing arrangements are governed by provisions in the Student Support Act 2011 and where applicable, secondary legislation provided for in the Act. These data sharing arrangements assist in verifying an applicant’s eligibility for grant funding.

As part of the agreed data sharing protocols, SUSI has live access to records of Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments for all applicants and named secondary parties to applications from 2015 to 2020. This enables SUSI to identify persons on qualifying and/or reckonable payments thus ensuring all income is assessed in line with Student Grant Scheme 2020. SUSI is not aware of any issue with SUSI receiving such records and statements of payments from Intreo offices.

Third Level Fees

Questions (561)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

561. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with third level institutes regarding the possibility of offering partial refunds or reduced rates for master's students due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39795/20]

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Written answers

It is important to note in relation to this issue that applications to undertake study at postgraduate level are made directly to individual higher education institutions. Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation and on that basis, the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in the case of postgraduate study is solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.

I am of course very conscious of the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.

The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The scheme will ensure students;

- Who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant;

- Students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;

- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.

SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/

Additionally, Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.

This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund.

Question No. 562 answered with Question No. 555.
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